Effect of local application of cold or heat for relief of pricking pain

Abstract

The present study was designed to determine the effect of the application of cold or heat on the sensation of pricking pain based on autonomic responses. Electrical stimulation was applied to the antebrachium or brachium of subjects as an artificial pricking pain, and skin blood flow (BF) and skin conductance level (SCL) at the fingertip were measured. Pain sensation was evaluated using the visual analog scale. Pain stimulation produced a significant increase in SCL and a significant decrease in BF at both the antebrachium and brachium. Application of cold to the stimulation site using an ice-water pack reduced BF and SCL responses and pain sensation. Application of heat using a hot water bottle caused a significant increase in pain sensation and enhancement of BF and SCL responses. These results suggest that application of cold promotes relief of pricking pain sensation and suppression of autonomic responses, and that application of heat has no such effect. It is important that nurses ascertain the type of pain or source of pain and take proper measures for its relief.